LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: ohio

  • Three Important Takeaways from the Bengals Close Loss to the Chiefs

    Three Important Takeaways from the Bengals Close Loss to the Chiefs

    by Chris Ball

    Loveland, Ohio – Though the Bengals fell 26-25 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday it was a heartbreaking loss. As seems to happen so often against Kansas City, that loss came after yet another questionable call that benefited Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. This time it was a pass interference penalty on the Bengals’ rookie defensive back Daijahn Anthony that gave Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker an opportunity to nail a 51-yard game winner as the clock expired. But as heartbreaking a defeat as the game represented, there were at least three positive takeaways to come out of it.

    One – Joe Burrow Is Back to Form

    After the loss to the New England Patriots there were rumblings from others, mostly outside of Bengals fandom, that Joe Burrow might not be as effective after his wrist injury last year. The Bengals’ quarterback put those questions to bed this past week. He went 23-36 for 258 yards with two touchdowns, outplaying Mahomes in the process. He looked more confident in the pocket and was able to push the ball downfield, something he did not attempt to do much against the Patriots.

    With Burrow not playing snice November of last year, it was reasonable to expect some rust in his return to game action in 2024. While that rust showed itself week one, it’s equally apparent that Burrow is getting into the flow of the game and is ready to carry this team in the most difficult of situations, just as he did at Arrowhead on Sunday.

    Two – The Bengals Pass Defense Answered the Call

    The Bengals’ secondary, led by Cam-Taylor Britt and Dax Hill limited Patrick Mahomes to just 151 yards on Sunday. It was the fewest yards the Chiefs’ quarterback has thrown for since October of 2019 where he threw for just 76 yards before being injured just before halftime. They intercepted Mahomes twice, including one of the prettiest interceptions you might ever see from Taylor-Britt:

    Cincinnati clamped down on the Chiefs’ passing game despite the fact that they got almost no pressure on Mahomes outside of Trey Hendrickson. Cincinnati’s defensive end continues to be a terror on opposing quarterbacks and he was the highest-graded Bengal in week one:

    Unfortunately, the others on the Bengals’ defensive line have not played up to anything close to Hendricks’ level this year. The hope is that when the team gets former top pick Myles Murphy back from injury and that he can continue the progress that he showed towards the end of last year.

    Mike Gesicki Has Revitalized The Bengals’ Tight End Situation

    Gesicki’s touchdown against the Patriots should have counted. But the Bengals’ tight end didn’t dwell on the past when he took the field against Kansas City. He hauled in seven catches for 91 yards. Although he didn’t score, his 37-yard reception early on really opened things up for Burrow and the offense. His 91 yards was the fourth-best performance in his career. The Bengals struggled to get much of anything out of the tight end position last year, but the progression of Gesicki and rookie Erick All (who had four receptions of his own on Sunday) bring a lot of promise to the position this season.

    ———————-

    Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

    Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

    Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

    We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

    Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

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    Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

  • [Guest Opinion] Springfield Community Needs Help, Not Hate

    [Guest Opinion] Springfield Community Needs Help, Not Hate

    Guest Opinion

    AFT President Randi Weingarten and Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper respond to the continued lies and political vitriol directed at the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio

    “The Springfield community needs help, not hate. Instead of working with city leaders to address issues like affordable housing, healthcare access, education and transportation, divisive politicians like JD Vance, Donald Trump and Senate candidate Bernie Moreno have been spreading hatred in a cynical attempt to score political points.

    “There is no place in a civilized nation for conduct like Vance’s bald-faced admission that he is telling lies to fuel bigotry, and Trump’s planned visit to Springfield to fan the flames. The candidates’ deeply racist remarks are unacceptable on their face, but the consequences are real: They have incited bomb threats and led to an influx of white supremacist groups.

    “We stand with the Springfield community—including educators, healthcare workers, migrant advocates, and city and state officials—as they work constructively to address their city’s growing pains while remaining a welcoming home for Haitian migrants, many of whom have fled violence. We commend Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine for correctly labeling these stories as ‘garbage that was simply not true’ and for denouncing the hate groups that are descending on Springfield.

    “The United States was built on immigration. We look after our neighbors and believe in a shared future. We stand with all of Springfield’s residents as they resist the forces of darkness and demagoguery determined to exploit their city for rank political gain.”

    The American Federation of Teachers is a union of 1.8 million professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, healthcare and public services for our students, their families and our communities. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism, and especially through the work our members do.

  • Governor DeWine Sends Ohio State Highway Patrol to Provide Added Security in Springfield City School District

    Governor DeWine Sends Ohio State Highway Patrol to Provide Added Security in Springfield City School District

    Springfield, Ohio – Following a series of unfounded bomb threats made to schools within the Springfield City School District, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that he has authorized a contingent of troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Mobile Field Force to provide added security at each of the district’s 18 school buildings.

    “Many of these threats are coming in from overseas, made by those who want to fuel the current discord surrounding Springfield. We cannot let the bad guys win,” said Governor DeWine. “We must take every threat seriously, but children deserve to be in school, and parents deserve to know that their kids are safe. The added security will help ease some of the fears caused by these hoaxes.”

    Beginning tomorrow and continuing for the foreseeable future, 36 troopers will be stationed throughout the Springfield City School District. Troopers will sweep each building for threats before students and faculty arrive and will stay on-site to provide security throughout the school day and during dismissal.

    “None of the threats that have come in to Springfield to date have been legitimate. We’re doing this purely as a precaution to prevent further disruption within the Springfield City School District,” said Governor DeWine.

    Governor DeWine also directed Ohio Homeland Security to begin conducting vulnerability assessments on critical infrastructure in Springfield and to provide various tower cameras for use by the Springfield Police Department to enhance situational awareness. The Ohio Department of Public Safety has also arranged for bomb detection dogs to be stationed in Springfield each day.

    Due to the recent influx of Haitian migrants to Springfield, Governor DeWine last week dedicated $2.5 million toward expanding primary healthcare access in Springfield and directed the Ohio State Highway Patrol to support the local police with traffic enforcement.

  • Loveland Schools: 5 Stars in every category

    Loveland Schools: 5 Stars in every category

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District received Five Stars in each category on the 2023-24 Ohio School Report Card. Only 18 school districts in Ohio received 5 Stars across the board, putting Loveland in the top 3% of Ohio public schools.

    Districts and schools receive an overall rating of 1 to 5 stars in half-star increments. The overall rating is comprised of five rated components. The College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness Component is report only and does not contribute to the overall rating on the 2024 Ohio School Report Cards.

    Click the image below to go to the Report.


    Click to read individual School reports:

    Loveland Early Childhood Center
    Loveland Elementary School
    Loveland Intermediate School

     

  • Amid two days of Springfield bomb threats, Ohio’s Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted posts a joke

    Amid two days of Springfield bomb threats, Ohio’s Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted posts a joke

    By:  – Ohio Capital Journal

    A social media post by Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted on Friday appeared to joke about a racist conspiracy theory that continues to rock an Ohio community.

    A day after a Springfield school and other public buildings were evacuated and closed due to bomb threats, and the same day that two other Springfield elementary schools were evacuated and one middle school closed due to a new, separate bomb threat, Husted posted a photo of two geese on X Friday morning with the comment, “Most Americans agree that these migrants should be deported.”

    That was an obvious reference to a conspiracy theory about Haitian immigrants in Springfield. It was made three days after former President Donald Trump amplified the claim that Haitian immigrants who are legally in Springfield are stealing their neighbors’ pets and eating them.

    “They’re eating the dogs. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” an angry Trump said during Tuesday’s debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.

    A day earlier, on Monday, Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, posted on X that “Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country.”

    The Springfield mayor, city manager and chief of police, as well Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, have all debunked the claims.

    Springfield City Hall, a school and county buildings were closed Thursday after bomb threats related to the influx of Haitian immigrants to the community. In addition, there have been reports of vandalism of immigrant property and widespread fear among the Haitian community.

    On Friday, two more Springfield elementary schools were evacuated due to a bomb threat, the city manager’s office has confirmed, Cleveland.com reported. A middle school was also closed Friday before school started. Police didn’t provide more details but said the Friday threats were separate from the Thursday ones.

    Springfield Mayor Bob Rue confirmed that at least one of the bomb threats also disparaged Haitian immigrants, WSYX reported Friday.

    In the absence of any evidence that dogs and cats have been stolen and eaten, figures such as Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Fox News personality Jesse Watters have focused on unverified reports that Haitians in Springfield are hunting and eating wild geese.

    With a population of 58,000, Springfield has been strained by the influx of 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian immigrants, most of whom have come over the past five years under temporary protective status due to the chaos in their home country. Schools, health care facilities and other resources have been swamped by the rapid population growth.

    Earlier this week, Gov. DeWine announced he would send state highway patrol troopers to Springfield to help, as well as $2.5 million to help with health care resources.

    But on the other hand, the influx has been credited with revitalizing a community which has been declining in population at least since 1990.

    Anti-immigrant rhetoric has been linked to mass violence. Experts say that whipping up fears of an “immigrant invasion” and “terror” and conspiracy theories of a “great replacement” have helped motivate racist massacres over the past six years in El Paso, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh.

    Husted, the lieutenant governor who joked about the situation in Springfield, is expected to vie with Yost, the attorney general, for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2026.

    His spokeswoman, Hayley Carducci, was asked Friday if Husted had any evidence that Haitian immigrants in Springfield were eating pets or geese, and if he didn’t, did he think it was a funny thing to joke about. She was also asked if Husted was concerned that amplifying the conspiracy theory will make a target of yet another vulnerable population, one in the state he wants to govern.

    “I don’t have an additional comment,” Carducci said.

    Marty Schladen
    Marty Schladen

    Marty Schladen has been a reporter for decades, working in Indiana, Texas and other places before returning to his native Ohio to work at The Columbus Dispatch in 2017. He’s won state and national journalism awards for investigations into utility regulation, public corruption, the environment, prescription drug spending and other matters.

    Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

    MORE FROM AUTHOR

     

  • Nominations open for 2025 Valentine Lady

    Nominations open for 2025 Valentine Lady

    Loveland, Ohio – Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Valentine Lady. “Valentine Ladies are women who have distinguished themselves in community, school, or family endeavors. Being nominated for Valentine Lady is quite an honor,” said Janis Folgle, the 2014 Valentine Lady.

    (Video – Introducing the 2014 Loveland Valentine Lady Janis Fogle)

    The Valentine Lady is the ambassador for the Chamber’s Valentine Program, and visiting area businesses, nursing homes, and schools, are among her duties.

    Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Valentine Lady, who must live within the 45140 zip code.

    Submission deadline is November 15, 2024. All entries must be submitted to the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance at 514 West Loveland Avenue, Loveland, OH 45140 or or by emailing at meredith@lmrchamberalliance.org.

  • Cincinnati among final 3 to become home of Sundance Film Festival

    Cincinnati among final 3 to become home of Sundance Film Festival

    PARK CITY, UTAH — The nonprofit Sundance Institute announced the final phase of its Request for Proposal (RFP) process to host the Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027.

    Three cities will be moving forward into the concluding review process to determine a long-term host for the Sundance Film Festival. The decision will be announced next year, after the 2025 festival, in late winter/early spring.

    All three finalists were assessed on “ethos and equity values, infrastructure, and capabilities to host the Festival, in addition to demonstrating ways in which they will continue to foster the diverse Sundance community and inspire the next generation of independent filmmakers.”

    The Sundance Film Festival will continue to take place in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah in 2025 and 2026. The Festival will transition to the host city in 2027 and subsequent years.

    The finalists selected to move forward to the final phase are (in alphabetical order):

    • Boulder, Colorado
    • Cincinnati, Ohio
    • Salt Lake City/Park City, Utah

    “As we move to the next phase in our search for a sustainable home for the Sundance Film Festival, we see great promise and potential in Boulder, Cincinnati, and Salt Lake/Park City. Each has shown us the blend of exciting possibilities, values, and logistics needed to produce a vibrant, inviting, and inclusive Festival. We’re excited for a future Sundance that can discover, support, and inspire artists and audiences for the next forty years,” said Eugene Hernandez, Festival Director and Head of Public Programming.

    “We are deeply grateful to all the finalists and appreciate the partnership and ingenuity we found in the three moving forward. as well as Atlanta, Louisville, and Santa Fe this summer. Leaders and locals in each community generously welcomed and inspired us as we explored the potential for our Festival in 2027, and beyond. On behalf of the entire Sundance Institute team, thank you,” said Ebs Burnough, Sundance Institute Board Chair.

    The Sundance Institute will continue to focus on completing a fair and comprehensive review of the three finalists and will not be providing comments while the review process is taking place. The Institute will announce its selection of the host city sometime after the 2025 Festival has concluded.

    Statements from finalist locations:

    Boulder, Colorado statement from Governor Jared Polis:

    “Boulder is the next natural home to the Sundance Film Festival and we are excited to be one of three finalists to host starting in 2027. Here in Colorado we cherish our creative communities, the jobs they create, and the economic contributions they make to our entire state, and the Sundance Film Festival would perfectly complement the work and creative activity already happening here in Colorado.”

    Cincinnati, Ohio statement from Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval & Kristen Schlotman, President/CEO, Film Cincinnati:

    “We are ecstatic to continue being considered as the next host city for the Sundance Film Festival. As long-time attendees, we believe Cincinnati’s dedication to the arts, hospitality, and historic theaters make it a great fit. We are inspired by the idea of partnering with the Sundance Institute to celebrate the festival’s rich legacy while introducing a dynamic, walkable and accessible new venue. Cincinnati’s blend of creativity, culture, and community promises to be an unforgettable experience for both filmmakers and audiences.”

    Salt Lake City/Park City, Utah statement from Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Park City Mayor Nann Worel, and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson:

    “Salt Lake City, Park City, and Salt Lake County are proud to unite in support of the Sundance Film Festival. Each step brings us closer, as a bid team in continuing our journey with Sundance. We are eager to forge an even stronger bond to inspire artists and elevate the festival experience. With our extensive event infrastructure, world-class venues, and warm hospitality, we’re ready to help Sundance shine on the global stage.”

  • Jamie Brown and MacKenzie Liu named Semifinalists in National Merit Scholarship Program

    Jamie Brown and MacKenzie Liu named Semifinalists in National Merit Scholarship Program

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland High School Seniors Jamie Brown and MacKenzie Liu have been named Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. According to a statement issued by the District, the students, “…earned this honor for their high academic achievement and exemplary scores on their pre-SAT tests.” About 16,000 students nationwide are recognized as National Merit Semifinalists, representing less than 1% of high school seniors.

    “Congratulations to Jamie, MacKenzie, and their families for this amazing accomplishment. Loveland High School is proud to shine a light on their amazing work, and we can’t wait to see what awesome things they accomplish in the future,” LHS Principal Dave Spencer said.

    Press Release continued by saying, “The National Merit Scholarship Program honors academically talented US high school students and stimulates support for their education. National Merit Semifinalists can advance in competition to become National Merit Finalists and qualify for National Merit Scholarships, corporate-sponsored scholarships, and college-sponsored scholarships.”

    “Jamie and MacKenzie have accomplished something that will help set them on a fantastic path for the future. Student success is the number one goal of our #beLOVEland Strategic Vision, and our Loveland Tiger students couldn’t be successful without amazing support from their families, our staff, and our community,” Superintendent Mike Broadwater said.

  • New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

    New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

    by Chris Ball

    Loveland, Ohio – What should have been a glorious football weekend turned into a parade of misery for Chris and Mark as the Bengals, Bearcats, and Wolverines all lost. The Bengals stumbled to a loss against a decidedly inferior Patriots team, the Bearcats blew a 21-point lead, and the Wolverines got blown out at home. Join the guys as they put aside their misery and bring you the stats and analysis (no matter how much pain it causes them).

     

    Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

    _______________________

    Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

    Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

    Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

    We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

    Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

    For Facebook, click here.

    For X, click here.

    For Instagram, click here. 

    Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

  • Loveland native supports U.S. Navy Osprey squadron

    Loveland native supports U.S. Navy Osprey squadron

    Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Isaiah Williams

    By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tristan Cookson, Navy Office of Community Outreach

    SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Madison Fields, a native of Loveland, Ohio, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30.

    Fields graduated from Blanchester High School in 2020.

    Fields joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Fields serves as an aviation machinist’s mate.

    “I joined the Navy because I wanted to learn what the world had to offer outside of where I grew up,” said Fields. “I also wanted to grow as an individual and learn what I could offer this country with the potential I had.”

    The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Loveland.

    “Going from the small town I grew up in to joining the Navy and traveling the country really changed my perspective of America,” said Fields. “It showed me all kinds of different cultures and people who grew up so differently than I did. Learning that all of these people coming from multiple backgrounds all had the common goal of joining the Navy taught me that anyone can be a family and unite for a common cause.”

    According to Navy officials, members of VRM-30 fly and maintain the CMV-22B Osprey, a vertical takeoff and landing tilt-rotor aircraft. VRM aircraft have increased operational range, faster cargo loading and unloading, increased survivability and enhanced communications compared to the C-2A Greyhound.

    With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

    Fields serves a Navy that operates forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

    “We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

    Fields has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

    “I am most proud of advancing to petty officer second class as fast as I have and being able to hold a position in my work center that allows me to grow as a leader and train junior sailors,” said Fields. “I love shaping the future for younger sailors and having a small impact on who they will become.”

    Fields can take pride in serving America through military service.

    “Serving in the Navy means being a role model to my siblings and cousins,” said Fields. “As the oldest sibling and the oldest of the cousins, I have always known I wanted to do something impactful with my life to make them all see that you can make a difference in this world, and the Navy has definitely done that.”

    Fields is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

    “I would like to thank my mom, Kelly Fields, who has been a single parent of three kids while also being very accomplished in her job,” added Fields. “She has shown me that I can do anything I set my mind to and has supported me with anything I have ever wanted to do in life. I like to always say ‘a superhero raised me,’ and she is my superhero. I hope to make her proud.”

    Fields continues to work toward their goals outside of the service.

    “I am currently working on obtaining my nationally certified pharmacy technician license,” said Fields. “I am taking advantage of being in California where it is one of the few places that it is possible to earn that.”